Protection element or attachment for safety glove fingers

ABSTRACT

Protective element or attachment to place on a glove finger, consisting in a resistant, hard piece with a half-round shape, closed at its end and open at the opposite end and partly on its lateral sides. Moreover, said element has its top part in the shape of an elongated semicircle connected to a half-ring. Additionally, the safety glove having at least one protective element located at the top dorsal part of one of the glove fingers is described.

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/350,206, filed on Jun. 16, 2014, and now pending, which is a national stage entry of PCT/CL2012/000032, filed Jul. 5, 2012, which itself claims priority to Chile Patent Application 2498-2011 and filed Oct. 7, 2011, [registered Chile Patent No. 50.535 granted Dec. 18, 2014], the entirety of all of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of industrial safety, more specifically to the safety of the fingertips.

The present invention consists of a protective element for fingers corresponding to a special attachment which is fixed to the fingertips of a safety glove, so that the fingertips are protected from smashes, bumps, scratches, cuts or pricks in carrying out a potentially dangerous job. The attachment is a piece made of hard, resistant material with a shape similar to that of a half-round closed on one end, which provides protection and does not interfere with fine motor skill and the sense of comfort in its use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to protect workers from all the risks arising from handling sharp tools or materials, cutting edges, metal swarf, certain bumps and many other physical risks, appropriate workplace safety measures need to be taken to prevent accidents.

Particularly for protecting hands from the described risks, there are different types of gloves made from different materials which conform to Workplace Safety requirements.

Safety gloves must be worn by all Company personnel, both production and supervision, exposed to the detailed risks. Thus, the present invention solves the problem of workplace safety, since a third of work accidents in the industry involves fingers, hands and arms.

A myriad of work gloves used in the industry are widely known, which have incorporated specific elements according to the activity to be carried out. The most widely used gloves are leather gloves, which have been modified, e.g., reinforced by incorporating a larger number of layers in those areas which are more exposed to damages by cuts, scratches, etc. Moreover, their stitching design has been modified, making them more resistant, or by including elements like rubber or PVC chloride dots, so as to make them non-slip, but not otherwise impacting safety from falling objects.

Some researchers have addressed the problem of finger protection, e.g., with metal elements, such as U.S. Patent Application No. US2008216209 which incorporates metal rings around the fingers incorporated in the glove; however, will only provides a certain degree of protection to the fingers. With these rings, the glove does not lose flexibility or ease of handling, but provides only partial protection.

Furthermore, numerous patents have attempted to solve the problem of protecting specific areas of the hand, such as nails, e.g., U.S. Patent Application No. US20110041225, which refers to a glove having protective pads located inside the glove at the top dorsal part of the fingertips to prevent the top of the fingers from being damaged due to contact with the outside and rubbing or friction against the inner surface of the glove. The protective pads can be made of a soft or smooth material to avoid scratching, filing or damaging nails.

Another example is U.S. Patent Application No. US20100071114 which relates to a construction glove in the shape of a human hand, said glove having end portions associated therewith, and a plurality of protectors in the form of elongated members extending substantially along the length of the fingers and thumb, adjacent portions of the tips of the fingers and thumb, and a layer having upper and lower surfaces. However, this design prevents the development of an activity requiring fine motor skill, since the protective elements incorporated at the finger length makes it very rigid.

In patent JP2009062649 a hand protector is incorporated, obtained by covering finger parts corresponding to the second finger through the fifth finger of a glove with a tubular reinforcement comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein workability is reduced because the reinforcement elements are tubular. This patent incorporates tubular elements along the entire length of the finger, i.e., the inner and outer sides of the finger, thereby making handling very difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention addresses a problem which has no solution in the prior art, fully satisfying safety requirements without compromising fine motor skill for manipulation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop a protective element for a glove finger.

The present invention consists in a protective element or attachment for a glove finger and a glove having at least one of said elements, corresponding to a protective attachment made of a resistant material.

The present invention is directed to an end finger protector and not to a protector for an entire finger or a fully hand-protective glove. The end finger protector of the present invention is preferably insertable or pre-inserted (in a permanent sense) into a glove, such as with a work glove.

The present invention is a direct result of seeing the types of injuries miners suffer, particularly copper miners, and the present invention is an attempt to help avoid future such injuries.

The partial finger protector of the present invention is structured to be small, lightweight, allow for as much flexibility as a worker is accustomed to (without the device), and to engage with a protective or work glove and still allow the same freedom of movement for work chores (as without the device).

Such a protector is important in certain industries, such as but not limited to mining, in which workers use their hands and where there is risk of damage to the fingers, such as but not limited to finger breaks, caused by falling objects.

Falling objects are common in mining, hence the long felt need for such a device to protect the most vulnerable parts of a hand and, perhaps, the part which can most readily result in permanent injury.

The finger protector of the present invention has the ability to be inserted into a work glove (or other glove) for the purpose of protecting the ends of fingers. Once inserted, it becomes rigid in the glove and non-rotatable generally through a friction fit or a permanent fixing arrangement.

The present invention further includes no need for additional attachment devices, which can be problematic in a glove.

Multiple such devices can be used concurrently.

The finger protector of the present invention includes a unique shape designed to functionally aid in solving the protective purpose, where the shape includes a pitch downward from the center and a flat-bottomed protective cover, which is limited by shape.

The shape of the finger protector is especially unique, unlike that of the prior art, serves purposes unlike that of the prior art, and is intended to serve multiple concurrent purposes necessary for solving the basic problem of providing protection from hard falling objects in a work environment.

The shape further allows for the ability of the wearer to continue to use his or her hand while working, including bending fingers at each joint yet protecting the distal knuckle portion of a finger, preferably including the distal knuckle.

However, when the worker's hand is on the ground (or is directed to the ground by a falling object; both being common occurrences in mining), the device forms a hard protective tent for the distal knuckle and finger end. The configuration of the upper portion of the device—higher along the center—helps add protection, at least in part by directing falling objects away from the finger. The device is also low weight with a mantle and two sides used as structure for the protective tent, which needs to be set up to cover for emergencies such as object falls.

The device of the present invention further includes a wider section nearer to the knuckle than the section near the fingertip. This shape aids in a worker's ability to work while wearing the device.

Still further, the device is sufficiently wide to protect the wearer yet may still be fit comfortably and securely into a glove. By making the area near the knuckle wider, the device will not move unnecessarily inside the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To better explain the present invention, reference is made to the following accompanying figures, which are illustrative and not limiting of the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts the finger protecting attachment.

FIG. 2 schematically shows any finger, the contour of the glove (2) and the protective element (1) located at the tip of the glove.

FIG. 3 shows the side view of the protective element of the present invention proposed herein.

FIG. 4 shows the rear view of the protective element of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the top view of the protective element of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the protecting piece of the present invention

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the protecting attachment on a finger and covered by a glove.

FIG. 8 shows a marked-up version of the protecting attachment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate marked-up version of the protecting attachment shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10-13 show photographs of one embodiment of the protective device of the present invention.

FIGS. 14-15 show embodiments of the protective device of the present invention taped within a finger hole of a glove.

FIGS. 16-17 show an embodiment of a glove of the present invention with protective devices internal to each finger section, in the outer lining.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The need of a protecting element for the fingers, without reducing mobility and comfort, leads to the idea of incorporating a special attachment at the ends of the glove fingers protecting the fingertips from bumps, cuts, scratches, pricks or hard smashes, such that there is one protective element or attachment per finger and every glove may contain as many protective elements as fingers. This attachment is a piece with a shape similar to or identical to that shown in FIG. 1.

The present invention consists of a protective element or attachment preferably made of different resistant materials, such as, but not limited to: hard plastic, polymeric materials such as polyamide, glass fiber, or metal. Importantly, the element may be made of hard materials of a variety of types, each selected material is preferably light weight and not deformable (or not deformable to the extent it would injure a wearer) when a heavy object might fall on it. This attachment is glued or fixed firmly to each finger end of the glove, either on the inside or outside thereof, but preferably the inside, and contemplates a height carefully designed not to obstruct handling. The height is typically high enough to cover the finger end with its base far enough away to cover a finger, nominally 0.75-1.25 inches high. From front to back, the device is nominally preferably 1.0-1.5 inches long. The width also is preferably nominally 1.0-1.5 inches wide. See FIG. 1.

The piece may undergo minor variations in shape and size depending on the finger to which this attachment will be attached, with the possibility of being incorporated to one or more fingers, as required, but the concept will remain the same—to serve as protection for the fingers. The element of the present invention preferably has no joints or fastening elements—that is, the element is of a fixed device, and not adjustable, such as something which would be formed by a plastic forming machine (e.g., a mold and extruder).

The protecting element or attachment differs significantly from the existing inventions having the same objective, mainly because its shape considers not only factors regarding the effective protection of extremities, which is the main objective, but also ergonomic factors which provide incomparable benefits as to the fine motor skill and sense of comfort in its use, as compared to the models comprising a full protective cover of the extremity. This is explained by the fact that the protective covers proposed herein rarely if ever contact each other, given they are located on the glove fingers, generating less friction and interference among the fingers when the glove is being used. This is also because the inventive protective element contemplates the back supports at the height of the first phalanges of the fingers, which are naturally located at different distances from the base of the hand in accordance with the different lengths of the fingers.

The protective element or attachment (or insert) may be made of various hard materials and has a half-round shape closed on one end and open at the opposite end and partly on its lateral sides, wherein said attachment is located at the distal end of the back of the glove fingers, and said element has its top preferably in the shape of an elongated semicircle connected to a half-ring, its lateral side is discontinuous and the front end closed. This partial lateral side opening adds to the dexterity of the wearer as an added benefit beyond that in the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment, a protective glove finger slot insert is provided, where the insert is arrangeable to protect a wearer's distal knuckle and fingertip from external injury, and is preferably firmly affixed in an upper portion of said finger slot's distal end. The insert may be formed of a hard plastic or other hard material. The insert could be insertable in a glove, such as a work glove, or may be embedded into the glove in a type of permanence. In one embodiment, the insert could be glued in. In another embodiment, the insert could be taped in. In yet another embodiment it could be glued and taped in. In a variation of the above, the insert could be sewn in, with glove portions on either side. The sewn in approach could be done in combination with taping and/or gluing, in any combination. For a particular glove, the insert can be for one finger slot or a plurality can be used for a plurality of finger slots (typically in a one-for-one correspondence) and the insert would not be in immediate contact with any other finger slot insert.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-11 for the reference numbers discussed herein. The protective element, insert, or attachment 150 may be made of various hard materials and has a half-round shape (“mantle” 20) on the top at its forward edge and preferably in a section hanging downwardly from the top, typically non-adjustable. The element is closed on its mantle end (but open below) and open at the opposite end and partly on its lateral sides, wherein said attachment is located at the distal end of the back of the glove fingers (see FIGS. 16-17 when in a glove), and said element has its top in the shape of an elongated semicircle 10 connected to the remainder of the device as a half-ring, its lateral side 30 is discontinuous (a gap, 40) and the front end closed.

In the preferred embodiment when inserted in glove such as but not limited to a work glove, the insert would be form-fitting to a glove or within a glove's finger portion, with the intent of surrounding a finger's distal phalange when the glove is worn. In the preferred embodiment, the insert would be comprised of a top portion 105 (typically non-extendible) configured to overlay and protect a wearer's distal phalange and fingertip, preferably shaped so as to be downwardly sloping from a center line 200 toward a first side edge 31 and a second side edge 32. The top portion includes a forward section 50 and a rear section 55. The rear section most distal from the finger section ends in a semicircle 60 with ends of the semicircle 61, 62. The insert is intentionally hollow so as to accept a finger within the finger portion of a glove. The area below the combination of forward section 50 and rear section 55 is open, forming a protective space 500. The forward section is nominally double the length of the rear section. See FIG. 6, among others, for views of the protective space 500.

The forward section 50 includes an elongated semi-circular front edge 60 with two ends 61 and 62, configurable to be at least in part forward of a finger when a finger is in said finger slot; and with a first side edge 31 and a second side edge 32 opposite said first side edge, each said side edge extending rearwardly from a respective end of said front edge.

The forward section 50 width is uniform (600) said first to said second side edge.

The rear section 55 has a uniform width (700) and length (701), said width greater than said forward section width.

Two side wings extend downwardly from either lateral side of rear section 55. As to the first side wing 230 and second side wing 240, each side wing's length is similar to the length of said rear section 55 and each side wing extending downwardly from said rear section on opposing sides, and each side wing having a flat bottom surface 231, 241.

In addition, a mantle 20 is attached to said top portion at said elongated semi-circular front edge, extending downwardly from said top portion 105, and with a flat bottom surface 21.

The rear section 55 is attached to said forward section 50 along a portion of the forward section furthest from said mantle 20; said flat bottom surfaces of said mantle and said wings together define a plane 90 (see FIG. 11); and the bottoms of said mantle 20 and said wings 230, 240 (bottom surfaces 21, 231, 241) together serve to form three legs of a table which, with said forward section 50 and said rear section 55, form a protective cavity for the portion of a finger in said finger slot.

The mantle 20 may have curvature so as to surround a fore finger, may be planar (see FIG. 12), or may tilt inwardly to partially enwrap a fore finger as in FIG. 13, or tilt outwardly.

As noted, in at least one embodiment, the insert can be used alone or can be placed in the finger pocket of a glove. See FIG. 7 for protective element 150 in glove 800. There may be a plurality of inserts in a glove, such as one for each finger. The inserts may be secured in the glove by some combination of tape, glue, sewing, or other known means or a combination of means. In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14-15, the device may be secured with tape, such as by using a glue, and the insert may be further secured by being stitched into the glove. These figures show the inserts in each finger portion of a glove.

In other embodiments, a plurality of inserts can be used in a single glove. FIGS. 16-17 show this configuration as examples.

The glove having at least one of said protective elements or accessories also is described. 

1. A protective glove finger slot insert arrangeable to protect a wearer's distal knuckle and fingertip from external injury, firmly affixed in an upper portion of said finger slot's distal end, said insert comprising: a top portion configured to overlay and protect a wearer's distal phalange and fingertip, shaped so as to be downwardly sloping from a center line toward a first and a second side edges and said top portion including: a forward section comprising: an elongated semi-circular front edge with two ends, configurable to be at least in part forward of a finger when said finger is in said finger slot; and said first side edge and said second side edge opposite said first side edge, each said side edge extending rearwardly from a respective end of said front edge; wherein the forward section width is uniform from said first to said second side edge; and a rear section with a uniform width and uniform length, said width greater than said forward section width; first and second side wings, each side wing's length similar to the length of said rear section and each side wing extending downwardly from said rear section on opposing sides, and each side wing having a flat bottom surface; and a mantle attached to said top portion at said elongated semi-circular front edge, extending downwardly from said top portion, and with a flat bottom surface; wherein said rear section is attached to said forward section along a portion of the forward section furthest from said mantle; said flat bottom surfaces of said mantle and said wings together define a plane; and said mantle and said wings together serve to form three legs of a table which, with said forward section and said rear section, form a protective cavity for the portion of a finger in said finger slot.
 2. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is formed at least in part from metal, plastic, polyamide or glass fiber.
 3. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is formed of a material sufficient to protect an inserted distal end of a finger against smashes, including bumps, punctures, and cuts.
 4. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is configured to serve as a covering for protecting a forward portion of a finger from damage due to a falling object.
 5. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein at least one said insert is glued into a finger slot of said glove.
 6. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is limited to consisting of said top portion and said mantle.
 7. A protective glove including a plurality of inserts each said insert located in an upper portion of a different finger slot's distal end, each said insert comprising: a top portion configured to overlay and protect a wearer's distal phalange and fingertip, shaped so as to be downwardly sloping from a center line toward a first and a second side edges, the top portion including: a forward section comprising: an elongated semi-circular front edge with two ends, configurable to be at least in part forward of a finger when said finger is in a finger slot; and said first side edge and said second side edge opposite said first side edge, each said side edge extending rearwardly from a respective end of said front edge; wherein the forward section width is uniform from said first to said second side edge; and a rear section with a uniform width and uniform length, said width greater than said forward section width; first and second side wings, each side wing's length similar to the length of said rear section and each side wing extending downwardly from said rear section on opposing sides, and each side wing having a flat bottom surface; and a mantle attached to said top portion at said elongated semi-circular front edge, extending downwardly from said top portion, and with a flat bottom surface; wherein said rear section is attached to said forward section along a portion of the forward section furthest from said mantle; said flat bottom surfaces of said mantle and said wings together define a plane; and said mantle and said wings together serve to form three legs of a table which, with said forward section and said rear section, form a protective cavity for the portion of a finger in said finger slot, and wherein said plurality of inserts are arranged so that no two touch each other.
 8. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein each said insert is formed at least in part from metal, plastic, polyamide or glass fiber.
 9. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein said at least one insert is formed of a material sufficient to protect an inserted finger's distal end against smashes, including bumps, punctures, and cuts.
 10. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein each said insert is configured to serve as a covering for protecting a forward portion of a finger from damage due to a falling object.
 11. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein at least one said insert is glued to a finger slot of said glove.
 12. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein each said at least one insert is limited to consisting of said top portion and said mantle.
 13. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein at least one said insert is firmly affixed in said glove. 